
De-winterizing boat engines can be done by yourself if you are confident in minimal mechanical work, or you can enlist a professional's help if you want to save time and energy. Check The Engine and Change the OilĮxperienced boat owners know that the first interior system to check is the engine. You can also consider using pest repellant before you winterize your boat to protect yourself beforehand. Once you uncover your boat, inspect it - including all the nooks and crannies - to make sure there are no unwanted pests. You should also keep an eye out for roasts, snakes, and more. For this reason, we recommend checking on your boat several times throughout the winter, as pests like mice can destroy the wiring and more of your boat. This step goes along with removing the tarp of your boat - but unfortunately animals sometimes take shelter in your boat during the winter months, especially if you haven’t checked on your boat in a while. Heavy snowfall and winter storms can cause structural damage, which will have to be fixed before you put the boat back in the water. If you wrapped your boat, but stored it outside, then you'll need to inspect the roof as well. Even if you did cover your vessel for the winter, you may still find mice, insects, birds or even snakes in the nooks and crannies around the outside of your boat. If you skipped the final step of covering your boat when you winterized it and just put it into storage without a tarp, then you'll have to spend a few hours cleaning months' worth of grime and dirt off of it. Take Off the Tarp or WrappingĪlthough you're eager to get inside your vessel and make yourself at home, the first step of de-winterizing a boat is to remove the tarp or wrapping that's covering it and check the outer shell. Take your time with every step so that you don't miss potential problems that may arise when you finally get back out on the water. De-winterizing is really about inspecting the interior and exterior for small fractures, leaks and other signs of damage.

If this is your first time de-winterizing a boat, remember to take it one step at a time and pay attention to the small details.
WINTERIZING AN INBOARD BOAT MOTOR HOW TO
Learn About Boat Financing How to De-Winterize a Boat Step-By-Step If you keep your eye on the weather forecast for a few weeks and determine that the last frosts of winter are behind you, then it's finally time to pull your boat out of storage and start de-winterizing. However, northern states can still experience snow and frost at night into the months of March and April. The temperatures during the day are usually warmer because the sun is out. So, when is it safe to de-winterize a boat for boat owners in northern states? The rule of thumb is that you can start de-winterizing when the temperatures at night no longer drop below freezing. Boat owners in southern states will be able to take their vessels out of storage much sooner than those who live in northern states that are more susceptible to early spring snowstorms. Determining when to begin the de-winterizing process will depend on where you live. Knowing when to de-winterize a boat is just as important as learning how to de-winterize it.
WINTERIZING AN INBOARD BOAT MOTOR CRACK
Since water expands as it freezes, containers and water lines can crack if water is left inside. If there is any water in the cooling, water or plumbing systems, you risk sustaining serious damage to your vessel. The purpose of winterizing your boat is to protect it from the harsh temperatures during winter. When Is It Safe to De-Winterize a Boat?ĭe-winterizing any boat, whether it's an inboard-outboard, an inboard or an outboard, has to be done at just the right time. We'll even provide you with a complete checklist for de-winterizing boats of all types and answer the most common questions about getting a vessel ready for peak season. From how to de-winterize a boat motor to de-winterizing a boat water system, we'll go over how to get your boat ready for the summer sun in just 10 easy steps. This inclusive guide will show you everything you need to know about de-winterizing a boat. If this past winter was your first one as a boat owner, then you may not know how to de-winterize your boat, or even where to start.

If you are one of the many Americans who own a boat, then you know that the first signs of spring are telling you it's time to de-winterize your boat.

While you may only be weeks away from lounging in the sun and cruising on the water, there is still plenty of work to be done before you can take your vessel on the high seas. Give Your Vessel A Cleaning And PolishĪfter a long winter of shoveling snow, freezing weather and staying inside, it's finally time to break the boat out of storage and get it back into the water where it belongs. Service Your Water Pumps And Cooling Systems How To De-Winterize a Boat Step-By-Step.
